Featured Domains

ICANN Approves New TLD Program

ICANN board gives green light to new TLD program, but there’s still work to be done.

ICANN’s Board of Directors has approved the new top level domain name program to a round of applause in Singapore Monday morning, although there’s a lot of work still to be done.

The resolution approving the program provides for more discussion on various parts of the plan to roll out hundreds of new top level domain names. One of the big areas is registry-registrar cross ownership.

The plan is to start the communications period (read: marketing) for new top level domain names immediately, but not accept applications until January 12, 2012. The application period would end April 12, 2012 and initial evaluations will be published in November 2012. That means new TLDs might come online in 2013.

It seems that there are only a couple things that could derail these dates now: pressure from the U.S. government over the IANA contract or a lawsuit with an injunction.

Comments

Did ya catch the timeline calling for the names to go into effect in 2014? Ha! Honestly, do ya think that will allow .COM ample time to solidify itself as the de facto standard extension — as if it hasn’t already?

If .TRAVEL, .AERO, .JOBS, .COOP, .MOBI and .MUSEUM were all uber .FAILS, what makes anyone think these will be different? As a friendly reminder: those TLDs were identified by the old ICANN board as representing categories with the highest need for TLD growth. We know how that story ended.

What makes this sequel any different?

Nothing to see here people. Continue on your way. Keep buying your .COM domains. As with conventional real estate, they are a good investment cuz they are simply not being made any more. Get them while you still can afford to.

“Some claim that icann stands to profit from this new program. this is not true. the program will be run on a cost recovery basis as designed by you, the community, and as approved by the icann board. if approved by the icann board.”

So ICANN is going to take $185,000+ in application fees for 500-1000 extensions, auction fees for contested extensions, and ICANN registration fees and somehow be “revenue neutral”. Does anyone really believe that? Honestly.

This would never have been approved if it was not in the self interest of ICANN.

But why bother? … Haven’t we already learned from the failures of .AERO, .TRAVEL, .COOP, .MUSEUM … that the world simply doesn’t WANT additional TLDs? … ICANN had previously concluded [these] represented the largest need and demand.

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. … This whole thing is destined to be a great big .FAIL.

We have enough worthless Extensions .. Bad move IMO ~ Not surprising in the least either.

I find it funny this news was posted on my Facebook feed just a few lines before Dynadot announced it is allowing .EU to be registered for 1$ until June 30th (And no , I am not connected to Dynadot). I wouldn’t waste a dollar on them to be honest …